Today, May 11, is the 36th anniversary of Bob Marley’s death in 1981 at age 36. I don’t know if there’s any significance in these numerals, but he has been gone for the same length of time as he was walking on earth. The first few years following his passing were filled with sorrow, dismay and disbelief for his many fans, compatriots and fellow artists. But in fact, his demise gave birth to our inspiration to start a reggae publication that carried on his message for 28 years.

This issue, featured as today’s installment of “Best of The Beat,” was published in June 1984, the second of what would become a annual issue devoted to Marley, his family, and the Wailers band. Edited by Roger Steffens, The Beat’s founding editor and reggae archivist, each edition of the "Collectors Edition" tribute contained the fruits of Roger’s relentless research into every corner of Marley’s life and career.

In this selection from the 1984 tribute, we have personal remembrances from five of Marley’s contemporaries, each lamenting the loss of the Reggae King: Alton Ellis, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Peter Tosh, Martha Velez and Tony G. The second article, “Bob the Prophet,” was written by Dawta Jamaka Perrier, who expresses the impact Bob had on her life and faith.